At a time when the pressure to perform should have been greater owing to the expectations and big stage that had been set, two men, Triumph Knights Mumbai North East’s skipper Suryakumar Yadav and Shivaji Park Lions’ Shivam Dubey, brushed aside any concerns and returned plenty of runs for their team. The two ensured their teams victory with some big hitting, taking the attack to the opposition. 

CAPTAIN YADAV EXPRESSES HIMSELF

‘Cometh the hour, cometh the man’.Suryakumar Yadav proved what a brilliant big-match player he is by scoring a half century in the all-important first qualifier to guide his team into the first T20 Mumbai finals. Yadav’s 35 ball knock took his team to a good total from where they could exert pressure on the young SoBo SuperSonics batting line-up.

Are you happy with the strategy of coming out at no. 5?

I had to come up the order because the team needed me at that time. And I had to play more overs and try and bat till the end to take the team to a defendable total.

You got the runs today. How does it feel?

It was very important for me to get some runs behind my back, and from the team’s point of view as well. Everyone has been chipping in with some runs, so it was very important for me to step up, raise my hand and express myself in this big game.

Were you happy with the score you got?

The wicket looked a bit on the drier side, and I felt 150+ would be a good total. I told my boys, ‘let’s try to reach 150-155 and see what happens then.’

Do you think you have had a little too much experimentation in the batting order so far?

No, we were just trying some little things for the big game, but now we’re set and ready for the finals.

How important is it to have a break before the finals?

It’s very important to take that break physically and mentally as well, and to go back and think what mistakes we made in this game and come back positively.

Love the intensity and the competition in the on-going @T20Mumbai league. Both the teams, #SoboSupersonics and #MumbaiNorthEast fighting it out for a place the finals. All the best.

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) March 19, 2018

Some fascinating individual brilliance on display in the @T20Mumbai . It has been an absolute treat to watch. Can’t wait to see who becomes the ultimate #CricketChaRaja pic.twitter.com/HQ8uZBZ3FP

— babasish nanda (@babasish03) March 19, 2018

PRESSURE PLAYER SHIVAM DUBEY

Shivam Dubey justified being counted among the premium all-rounders of T20 Mumbai once again as he absolutely tore in the NaMo Bandra Blasters’ bowling, scoring 1 four and 6 sixes on the way to the fastest fifty of the league so far. Dubey’s knock took the Lions into the second Qualifier on a high note and they will now be gunning for blood. 

24 hours ago, you were hit for a six off the last ball, how quickly did you put that out of your mind?

I had a bit of pressure, and I could not sleep well last night. But I could change the day in 24 hours – in one over actually, not 24 hours.

When you walked in, your captain was batting well, but the game was still not won…

Yes, the opposition were good, but we had faith in both of us – Bravish (Shetty) and I.

Tough game tomorrow evening. Your thoughts?

Yes, back to back games can be really tough, but this is T20. We need to go for the cup, and we will definitely go for it.

Tell us about your striking resemblance to your inspiration, Yuvraj Singh

No, it’s not about Yuvraj, I just play my own cricket and practice hard.

This Shivam Dubey from Mumbai T20 league' Shivaji Park Lions has an uncanny resemblance to @YUVSTRONG12! Incidentally, his inspiration and playing style is also like Yuvi's and he almost did what Yuvi did to Broad. Almost! #PatlaLambaYuvrajSingh #T20Mumbai

— Raunak Narayanan (@The_MalBori) March 19, 2018

What a star, Shivam Dubey🌟 The level of talents in this city... Insane!!!🔥#CricketChaRaja

— Adlee Sharon (@adlee_sharon) March 19, 2018

Shivam Dubey 54*(21)
1 Four 6 SIXES

UNBELIEVABLE! @T20Mumbai #CricketChaRaja

— Sejal 🏏 (@sejal_mokal) March 19, 2018